Sorry, reservations are now closed for this event.
We'll blog about it when it's done.
DoubleHP will show a visual tribute to the many horses who have touched our organization and our lives over the years. (2011 marks 10 years for DoubleHP). We will also explain the Spay Day online Photo Contest, which we are participating in for the second year. Last year we jumped in at the last minute and managed to raise $1,200 to be used for spay/neuter/gelding programs. In 2010 the money we raised helped 9 cats, 1 dog, and 1 horse. We already have plans to help up to 15 more cats this February. And we hope to use the money we raise in 2011 for more gelding clinics.
Many animal shelters and sanctuaries have closed during this challenging economy. Sadly, some did not ask for help and their shelter animals suffered for it. There are many stories in the news of animals needing to be rescued from their rescue organizations. Of course this includes horses, as big and expensive as they are.
We are not the only animal shelter who experienced a sharp decline in donations and volunteer chore helpers in 2010. And certainly the animal welfare category is not the only one to experience this decline among nonprofits. While we certainly wish we could take in more horses right now, we simply cannot. We believe that one of the most responsible things we can do as animal owners and caretakers is to know our limits. And we have always known our limits. Our main horse shelter is full and will remain full with the horses who live there. We have adopted out 50 or so horses through our adoption program, and we have helped re-home hundreds of others through horse rescue networking and long-term foster programs.
The only way DoubleHP can become solely responsible for any new horses now is if we have some "forever homes" come forward. You may read more about our forever homes on our "Adoption/Forever Home" page.
We continue to offer assistance to Sheriffs or States Attorneys or large equine rescue teams in cases where horses need rescue from neglect and starvation. But the only way DoubleHP can take over ownership of any more horses is to have "forever homes" already waiting. We have never had trouble finding temporary or short-term foster homes. But they eventually ask us to come and get the horses, and where do we take them then?
Please read our "Adoption/Forever Home" page to learn how you might be able to become a "forever home" for one or more rescued horses.
In 2011 we hope to do more education and advocacy type activities. We sincerely hope that South Dakota horse breed associations, councils, events, veterinarians, educators, trainers, breeders, and everyone in our state in the animal and horse communities will join us in promoting gelding clinics in 2011. Similar to Spay/Neuter programs for companion animals like dogs and cats.
We continue to spread the word that yes, there are too many horses in our country. But the reason there are too many horses is because there are too many horses BRED. There are too many foals being born every year. We have had conversations with horse breeders (we know this is NOT true of all breeders) who say they do not do it for the money. And they also do not do it to keep the foals. Why do it then? If anything is a setup for a neglected horse it is one that costs nothing or just a few dollars to acquire. People who acquire a "free" or cheap horse have no idea what their costs to feed and care for this "free" horse are going to be. There is no such thing as a "free" or cheap horse. Unfortunately, by the time these uneducated new horse owners find this out, it's often too late for the horses who never should have been bred and born in the first place!
We have all read the news story about Betty Coulthard from Canada, who raises registered quarter horses. She says, "you have to breed 100 horses a year to get two good horses." Good grief, she should rescue horses instead of breed them! Her percentage of those that turn out to be sound, safe, healthy, valuable riding horses would be much higher! Ours sure is!
That's right! Many of our rescued horses turn out to be sound, safe, healthy, valuable riding horses!
If you would like to spend time with a horse but can't afford to own one, why not help sponsor one at our shelter! We have horses here ages 3-29. Some can be ridden, some cannot be. We do have an indoor riding barn here, though it is being used primarily for shelter this winter. brrrrrrrrrrrrrr. The last two years from about April to November we have had a trainer come in 3 times a week to work with our rescued horses. So lessons are an option here too. If you might be interested in spending time with a horse, whether for riding or grooming or hugging, give us a call and we can see what might work for your individual situation. This will not be free, but it will be less expensive than owning your own horse. Call us at 605 359-0961 or email doublehphorses@alliancecom.net
Horse Help Providers, Inc. (DoubleHP) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization set up as a humane society in South Dakota for the purpose of prevention of cruelty to animals.
We do not compete for county animal control/shelter contracts. We receive no city, county, state, federal, or govt. funding of any kind.
We rely totally on donations, sponsors, and volunteers.
We pay no administrative salaries.
We are the true meaning of nonprofit and volunteerism.
Since we are 501c3, donations are tax deductible according to law.